Storage solutions need to be smart! You don’t want to spend tons of money on fancy baskets and other storage items, but at the same time, you want your place to look nice and organized. What’s a tidy person to do?

Check out our 5 Smart (and Cheap) Storage Solutions that work and will help you keep everything in its designated spot, without forking over lots of $$.

1. RECYCLE SCENTED CANDLE JARS

Do you love scented candles? Fall is coming and chances are, you have a few of those scented candles that come in a jar at home. Don’t throw them away once they are burned out. Instead, use the jars to beautifully store items such as make-up brushes or cosmetics! They are perfect to display lipsticks and glosses on your bathroom counter.

All you need to do is place the jar with the leftover wax in the freezer overnight. The next day, stab into the wax with a knife to remove the residue. The frozen wax should break and come off easily. Wash the jars in warm soapy water and remove the label. Voilà!

2. STORAGE AND THE CITY

Not all of us are the Carrie Bradshaw type, but we certainly all have shoes and maybe you have kept some of the boxes they come in. If you did - excellent! Old shoeboxes are perfect to organize your belongings the KonMari Way. You can for example store your folded items in there, and they will be held together nicely. Just make sure the box is more or less sturdy.

Granted, not all shoeboxes spark joy in us (unless of course they’re from Manolo Blahnik), so a good trick to make them look great is to wrap them on the outside using a stylish wrapping paper of your choice! This storage solution not only works, but will bring you tons of joy – I "swear on Chanel!".

3. DYI CARDBOARD DRAWER DIVIDERS

It doesn’t get cheaper than this! Recycle old cardboard boxes to create DYI drawer dividers. These dividers will help you create different sections within a single drawer, which makes storing items of different types without mixing them up a lot easier.

You can find a step-by-step tutorial on how to create DYI drawer dividers here:

4. BAGS IN BAGS IN BAGS

Inception in your wardrobe? Yes please, if it saves valuable space! Bags can take up a lot of space in our closet. Therefore, in her book “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up”, Marie Kondo comes up with a pro-tip: store bags in bags! Try fitting the lighter, smaller bags in the bigger and bulkier ones. All of your bags will only take up the space of one!

5. THE CHOCOHOLIC SOLUTION

This idea might not be the most calorie-wise, but it makes up for it with its diverse functionality! Use empty chocolate boxes to store a variety of smaller items, such as jewelry or office and craft supplies. The many different sections will prevent items from mixing and you will have all of them handy as soon as you open the box.

We know “Life is like a box of chocolates”, so use it to perfectly store your odds and ends. The best thing about a chocolate box as storage solution – you have to finish all of the chocolatey yumminess first!